Lost in Jersey

So close to NYC, New Jersey is a melting pot of creativity, ambition, and culture. Everyone has a Jersey story and on Lost in Jersey , we’re here to share them with you.

Lost in Jersey is a society podcast hosted by Rachel Martens and Janette Afsharian, with 140 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Rachel Martens and Janette Afsharian hosts Lost in Jersey, a society show with 140 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #48

  Shine Global, Young Filmmakers, And The Power Of Impact Docs

  Nov 4, 202554 minS3

  <p>At the <b>Montclair Film Festival</b>, Lost in Jersey sat down with <b>Shine Global</b>—the award-winning team behind War/Dance and Inocente—to explore how real stories drive change far beyond the screen. Co-founders <b>Susan MacLaury</b> and <b>Albie Hecht</b> trace their journey from a family trip to a war zone that inspired War/Dance to an Oscar win for Inocente and a mission to put children’s voices at the center of storytelling.</p><p>We unpack two decades of hard-earned lessons: how The Wrong Light unraveled a “rescue” narrative into a deeper trut...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #47

  Christian McBride's Road to Jersey

  Oct 28, 202540 minS3

  <p>Nine-time Grammy winner <b>Christian McBride</b> says life is jazz—part preparation, part improvisation, and pure rhythm. In this conversation, the bassist, composer, and longtime NJPAC Jazz Advisor shows how listening deeply, reacting honestly, and staying curious keep his music (and life) in time. We discuss the surprising bass that travels the world with him, the art of arranging compositions for singers, and the balance between leading big bands and blending in with small ensembles.</p><p>McBride shares the making of his new album, Without Further Ado, Vol. 1—a project that captures live energy across studios in New...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #46

  Jim Axelrod: From the White House to War Zones—And Finding His Why

  Oct 14, 202539 minS3

  <p>What if the moment that nearly ended your life became the one that finally made sense of it? Veteran CBS reporter <b>Jim Axelrod</b> joins us for a raw, free-flowing conversation that moves from Iraq’s war zones to quiet moments with Bruce Springsteen. He reflects on how growing up in New Jersey—and summers working the Shore—taught him the art of connection. This one’s about resilience, reflection, and the question that keeps him grounded: Why are you doing what you’re doing?</p><p>In the Long Run, A Father, a Son, and Unintentional Lessons in Happine...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #45

  Crisis Mode: Karen Kessler on Saving Reputations

  Oct 7, 202535 minS3

  <p>What happens when your reputation is on the line? Karen Kessler has been in the room for some of the toughest calls in crisis PR—guiding clients through scandals, lawsuits, and the headlines they never wanted.</p><p>In this episode, she shares why she walked away from Roger Ailes, how her firm later supported the women who spoke out, and what drives her firm's every decision. We discuss the anatomy of a genuine apology, the distinction between accountability and performance, and how to prepare for conversations that no one plans to have—such as telling a spouse about an a...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #44

  Awards Buzz, Spike Lee & Springsteen: Montclair Film Festival 2025

  Sep 30, 202540 minS3

  <p>The Bellevue Theater is back and so is the Montclair Film Festival. We sit down with Montclair Film’s Artistic Director, Tom Hall, to break down the 14th edition: what’s bold, what’s risky, and what’s bound for awards season.</p><p>Highlights include opening night's Jay Kelly, Noah Baumbach’s meta comedy starring George Clooney and Adam Sandler. Nicholas Britell who scored the film will be there for a Q&A. Get tickets for headline events with Spike Lee and Stephen Colbert, and Pam Abdy on Hollywood’s future. Cinephiles can dive into Rebecca Miller’s Scorsese portr...

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Lost in Jersey. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.